Topic: Asylum 'Webzine'

I just thought I'd move this topic over here where we can work on it without getting in the way of daily conversation.

Are all those who were interested, still interested?

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cheers.jay

Give us some ideas on what you would like for it to include. Then we can work on a design. Maybe a name. What about Ducati's domain name that he has laying around?

I'm eager to get started.

<edit> is it ok that I post here?</edit>

Later,
C:\


~Binary is best~

[This message has been edited by CPrompt (edited 03-06-2002).]

Well if Max doesn't mind letting us use his domain that sounds good, but if hes using it for anything by all means Ill purchase one soon enough. I really don't have too many ideas. I didn't give a whole lot of thought to the outlining of this project, just the initional idea.

I guess just come up with random ideas, and we'll go from there. Sound good?

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cheers.jay

I would say for downloadable items there could be wallpapers of course, 2d, 3d, photography, etc. Links to znippets code for a sort of 'code library'. This would also be a nice display area for the repeat performance works and further group performance contests. I would hate to totally rip the concept from either deviantart or ALA maybe a happy medium between the two. I am also quite fond of whats happening at exquisite corpse but I would like to see a 'themed' corpse progression rather than a pure esoterical assemblage of parts. It would be intersting to see how this whole thing progresses. Yeah and I say we have a whole Haiku section too.

[This message has been edited by moaiz (edited 03-06-2002).]

i'm not sure how constructive this is, but i know that two asylumnites write here on a regular basis....
just food for thought...

- - r e i t s m a - -
(tifkab)

Good input Moaiz, I like the haiku section

The code library sounds like a good idea, but I think we should let the Doc continue with his znippets. I don't want to start in on his territory. Also, I'd like to keep a distance between the Make it Repeat and PS Pong. We already have stuff going on with that. Perhaps Max, Slime, etc. would be willing to come up with some scripts we could use.

Any thoughts on the different types of articles? The previous suggestions of video games, music, moives, etc. sounds real good. I suppose this sounds like a 'Media' section. Naturally we'd have different sections for the different aspects of design. I'd really like to get some good stuff done on color and typography. Anyone remember who created that color wheel? That was pretty cool.

While I was initially excited about hosting different wallpapers and skins, I think it would be better to hold off on this for the time being. Maybe we can start drawing up different designs for the layout over the weekend at everyones convinence and begin deciding exactly what content we want into it.

Sound good?

I really want some feedback. If you got an idea, post it.

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cheers.jay

Before I forget, I was thinking about having a late breaking news section, with up to date news. What do you guys think about this? Is this getting too much now?

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cheers.jay

I'm interested in vidio games and technology like that I'm usually scowering the net looking for new info. Jestah, I think it will be up to you to come up with the name. I know its tough to think of the perfect name, buts not really a big deal. I'll start on some sketches for a layout after I get home from work ( I do it all the time for my own stuff) Late breaking news can be on anything computer related, but hundreds of sites already do that. So basically, thats where I would probably find the info, not from the source. I believe book reviews is a good idea, I hear, "what book do you recommend" an aweful lot. So far, it looks like the site will be about computer interests of all kinds, art, web, games (flash games included ) tech, reviews. Thats about everything that makes a site useful for me.

reitsma: are you suggesting that maybe Stephen and Peter would possible be available to write some articles? That would be great. I think that twitch^ is a great writer.

Later,
C:\


~Binary is best~

um, no, i don't make a habit of offering other people's services.
just pointing out what some asylumnites who wanted to be involved in a webzine are doing.
i'm not saying "recruit peter and stephen", or "upstage them", or "forget this, and start by submitting articles to existing webzines"... i'm saying all of these, and none of these.
just offering food for thought.

at present, i lack the time and equipment to be involved in this project, but i'm just offering some advice - account for all your resources before doing this.

a well designed webzine with no dedicated, talented writers, for all it's prettiness, will end up dying in the ass.
i'm not trying to discourage anyone, just suggesting that this sort of project needs some serious, constant commitment.
...and i would love to see it take off, and stay airborne.

- - r e i t s m a - -
(tifkab)

Hey, hopefully this makes it off the ground and I wouldn't mind helping out. A couple of points though.

I would really like to keep some sort of affiliation with the Asylum and the Doc, maybe even get far enough to have a little link at the bottom there. Also, I think the content should as varied as possible. A lot of other places do computer stuff really well, reviews really well, etc.

If we could get enough input to really make the site eclectic, we could use that as a hook.

Anyway, I can do hardware reviews, articles, editorials, yadda, yadda. I could also be an editor, if you have no other takers.

Other than that, how about a mockup? Shouldn't take up too much time, and it would help solidify the concept.

reitsma:

I know your were not trying to offer someone elses services for them silly I was just thinking that maybe you were trying to hint around that maybe twitch^ and Peter (I never can remember what his Asylum name is) would be interested in doing an article every once in a while. That's all. If it is going to be an Asylum Webzine I would hope that both of them would write something. They are great writers on web stuff and it would be a shame if they didn't make an apperance every once in a while.

Let's just get the thing moving . . . I'm impatient as hell these days.


Later,
C:\


~Binary is best~

well content is pretty much decided, what kind of layout is this site going to strut? Is it going to be some flash masterpiece, or more of a simple set up? any favorite interfaces around the web this site should be like?

well I am still unclear on the overall focus of the site, what will its purpose be? I really dont see a need for a knockoff of slashdot or deviantart or even digital-web with different graphics. I think that a unique backbone theme will help bring some focus to the HUGE ammount of work we are talking about. Maybe a summation of what is being proposed be put back in 'Ozone' because it appears to be dying of neglect down here. In the Misc forum we could possibly kick concepts 'round with a larger group.

*skip to the end*

allz I know is, I want to write.

And I wanted to start a weekly (monthly?) Aslyum E-mail Thing? That I could produce and edit and that others could write for, as well.

I guess I'm just too lazy to email Doc about it and wait about four years for him to actually recieve it and two more years for him to actually answer back.


Harmonizing new illusions...
ICQ: 67751342

[This message has been edited by Petskull (edited 03-08-2002).]

why make it a Email thing .. then you have to worry about people signing up .. old addies .. etc etc .. just do a website and shit .. hmmm .. call it "Weekly Asylum" or "Asylum Circle" or "Asylum Tribune" .. whatever just tossing things out .. I work on Gaming Articles for my own site .. what type of topics are we talking about here?


I'd be willing to give a helping hand on the start up

Well, hopefully we'd come up with a name that suggests the Asylum: "Scratchings on a Padded Wall", "Cries from the Asylum", "Straight(-jacket) Talk" or somesuch. I've had far too little caffeine this morning for this kind of thought, but you see where I'm going with it?

remember guys, this wont be related to the asylum

why not make it apart of the Asylum? there is already a major audience .. if this get's Doc's blessing I'm sure it could be networked into the Asylum Forums just using another domain

oh about a weekly section titled .. "Weekly Dosage" .. topics ranged from PS tips/problem solving to dealing with new software .. etc .. just tossing things out

Moaiz - By no means will this be a knock-off of any particular site. I suppose it was inspired by my daily surfing, but the idea has changed so often now, its almost completely different from my first post. The main focus of this site is fun. The second focus is to make lots of money. This is our unique backbone. Just kidding.

Ducati - You out there? I want to find out how you feel about using your domain? This is your domain don't forget. If you don't want us to use it or want to use it for yourself I could always tempt you with making you an editor. In all seriousness though IM me later today and we'll talk about it.

Reitsma - smacks reitsma with a tuna.

In the spirit of American patriotism (all of you who aren't from the states will have to look on in envy) 'Lets roll'

I think the sections should be as vague as possible. We don't need anything to tie us down. I was thinking 'articles', 'artists', 'authors', 'reviews', and 'techniques'. How does everyone feel about these? Feel free to add input. Nothings perminent.

Maybe we can all draw up some mock designs? Im off on spring break, I have plenty of time on my hands. Why don't we really jump feet first into this and get started. I think we need to set up some sort of systematic program of submitting articles. Decide on editors. Finalize our sections and choose a layout. Maybe we could use an unrealistic deadline, say April 1st?

Edit: April 1st isn't unrealistic. Maybe we can try and see if we can get everything finalized by March 14th and the first issue out for April 1st? Any thoughts?


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cheers.jay

[This message has been edited by Jestah (edited 03-08-2002).]

I like the 'Weekly Dosage' idea. That sounds good.

Its not that I don't specifically want this to be Asylum related. Its more of I don't want to over step any set boundries. If the Doc was to give us the OK then I would say lets go for it. For the time being though, lets keep this just a side project.

BTW, one thought I had was about a weekly/monthly comic strip. If the Doc has any free time, I think it would be great if he could create one or reintroduce an existing one.

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cheers.jay

How about article names..

The Security Report?

Inmates bullitin?

The Madman's Corner?

Straight from the Jacket?

I would like to help!



WolfenMedia

Not that I want to put the breaks on or anything but this just seems kind of odd. You want to rush out and slap togther a site based on some rather general ideas by April 1st?

No offence but that sounds like a project destined to fail.

Make a big impact, not just an impact as soon as possible.

1> Brain Storm.
2> Identify Goals.
3> Plan.
4> Design & Develope.
5> Revise & Review.
6> Quality check > Launch.

That's a hell of a task to accomplish in under a month and I'm still not sure what it is exactly the site is all about so I'm guessing we're still in the first stage.

There are no boundaries, except those set by yourselves. I'll support and endorse this project all the way, go for it, have fun!

Your pal, -doc-

Dracusis - You raise some good points. Thats why we call it an unrealistic deadline. Im not looking for this to be some ultra successful webzine thats going to generate millions for me. Come to think of it why am I not looking for this? It just sounds like a good time. If it fails then it fails. If it doesn't then we have more work to do.

In all honesty I really don't think the deadlines are too unrealistic. We're not writting a newspaper here. I would imagine there would be a handful of articles tops. The layout of the thing will progress as the site progresses so its not a 100% important to have it perfect from the get go.

Doc - Thanks alot Have you given any thought to writting or drawing something for the site?

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cheers.jay

So Jestah since this is kind of *your* baby, do you think that it should have any ties to the Asylum? I think that there are some great names out there that we could use that some have already suggested. Most of the names that have come up just seem to steem from the name "Asylum".

Anyway, lets throw out some things that we could include as far as articles, topics and such. Petskull seems to have a topic (or more) in mind. What about some new hardware or software?

I'd like to do an article on "Pushing the envelope in web design".

Anyone have any room on their server to act as a "layout" suggestion box so we can see some?

Later,
C:\


~Binary is best~

quote:

---

...The second focus is to make lots of money...Just kidding.

---

NO MONEY?!?!?!?!?

Next you're going to tell me that our initial mission statement will not include the overall aim of World Domination.

Well I have no doubt that a collaboration from here could be an amazing thing but I am having trouble visualizing it. I think that if we capitalized on the uniqueness of this community it could really fly. This is the least mainstream group of people I have ever seen assembled. The asylum is quite frankly a teeming mass of of insanus araneum magisters, (quite literally meaning "stolen from wakkos" in latin.)

I can see how carrying over aspects of the asylum into the site would be cool like wolfen suggested. However, I agree with Cprompt...Jestah this is your brainchild how about what you would like to get out of the project, what would you like to see it become? I got fun, but what do you see as fun?

We of course will have articles written by volunteers, but what will the overall goal of the webzine be?

I guess this would fall under "identify goals".



[This message has been edited by moaiz (edited 03-10-2002).]

I agree with Dracusis points about needing to plan this webzine.

I think the thing thats need most right now is for someone, say um, Jestah, to become "editor-in-chief" of the zine. He can be to this new site like Doc is to Asylum: the guy who makes the final decisions, guides the site, and has the vision of what it should be.

You could set a deadline for ideas for the site and begin to flesh-out where you want it to go. Another idea would be to set up date when the people who are intrested in this could have a discussion in "realtime" on a chat or something. Sort of a virtual meeting. Afterwords you could take the results of this brainstorm and organize the site(free-form or structured or somewhere in between).

After all thats done timelines could then be set to get the thing built and launched.

I also wanted to say that I am still intrested in helping out and/or writing articles for the site. I am professional photographer and web designer for a newspaper corporation in Georgia (I work for the main corporation not any particular newspaper) and I would be glad to help in any way necessary. I am also a decent copy editor (don't judge me by my posts) and I can help you by looking over submitted articles.

------
Tiki





[This message has been edited by tikigod (edited 03-10-2002).]

Jestah: Looks like some good ideas coming out here but I'm with Dracusis on the deadline (unless you fancy really working yourself into the ground on this one chasing people up and such like).

I threw out this name before for some kind of Asylum related thing (no idea what now!!) but recycling is always good eh?

Bonfire of the Insanities: A conflagration of ideas!!

Could I suggest a site makeover feature? Synthetic co-ordinated an effort for that young kid getting his family site up and running (nasty conclusion to that story but that shouldn't put you off) and the Site Reviews forum is there if you want to sort out a monthly feature (I've been thinking of running some kind of monthly feature over there but never come up with the right concept). I probably wouldn't be able to devote the time to co-ordinating the effort but you have my support and help if you want to go down that route. I know numerous web dsign magazines do something similar and it would be an interesting way of demonstrating possible problems with sites and how to improve them (say with a 'before' shot with some text braeking down the problems and an 'after' shot with some text showing how they were fixed). Its never possible/practical to archive stuff from Site Reviews but this could be an interesting project and, eventually, a useful resource too.

Emps

Hey, the "bigbonfire" domain is still sitting on one of my "fully hosted" accounts, and it's got only the one page in it, hmm...

Your pal, -doc-

Doc: I thought you had a name registered along those lines!!

Emps

Sorry I haven't been around to get more involved in this the passed few days. My spring break ended and Im back at school and had a paper to write. My works done and I've cloned myself so I never have to worry about school work again.

Yea I would love to take charge in this sort of thing. I have no problem being the "editor-in-chief" and I would love some volunteers to head up different sections.

It seems as though we are going to keep this as close to the 'Asylum' theme as possible. I think everyones happy about this. 'Bigbonfire' huh? Doc is there anything we can work out for the use of this domain? No ones looking for a handout.

I suppose since its my idea, I should take the lead on this.

The original idea of different sections was 'articles', 'artists', 'authors', 'reviews', and 'techniques'. I suppose it could be a good idea to come up with 'Asylum' names for these things. Or we can keep them the same. Lets get some input and see where that takes us.

I can't speak for anyone else, but my goals for this project is entertainment and education. We should have a good time and if we learn something, thats even better. Don't get me wrong. World domination will probably come with this.

Why don't we spend the next few days talking about the different sections we're going to include and then by the weekend we can begin drawing up different ideas for layouts.

In the meantime, it might be helpful if those interested in this project could send me an email (ieJesteah@hotmail.com) with the amount of time they can spend per week to this project, interests in the project, sections they'reling to work on, and a short list of what it is you do (ie. graphics, coding, etc.). Obviously this doesn't have to be too formal. A simple email letting me know what you want to do here will be fine.

Thats the game plan. Everythings open for discussion though. If you have a problem with the sections, post it. Lets get started.


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cheers.jay

[This message has been edited by Jestah (edited 03-13-2002).]

Oh yea, section names already mentioned in another thread:

The Security Report

Inmates bullitin

The Madman's Corner

Straight from the Jacket

I like 'em. Keep them coming.

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cheers.jay

Hmmm this seems to be lossing support.

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cheers.jay

Hey, I like the "World Domination" section, maybe we should include it as a top-level link, but then leave it permanently "under construction"? <g> This could serve well as a place to log into the adsmin section of this site too. Jestah, if bigbonfire.com appeals, I can arrange to seperate it from my main accounts with it's own login. (The expense is minimal, under control.) If the desire is for another name, track one down!

I'll provide what support and backing I can for this project, though my plate is quite full right now. Jestah, if you're going to be editor-in-chief, you need to set up a flow chart for what the site might contain, and then try and tweak it up to take advantage of all the feedbacks. Then you need a lead designer, and probably some implementation help? Writers, of course, but first you need a detailed plan. Go for it!

Your pal, -doc-

The "World Domination" with under construction serving as an admin login is a GREAT idea.



Later,
C:\


~Binary is best~

I've already given my support to Jestah .. to help him get this off the ground .. and I'm already writing an article .. just for fun

I would like to be of a game related section of the zine. It could cover games in gerneral, game art and creation. anyone else like this idea?

what type of games? RPG(paper and pin) .. PC games .. Console Games .. Games is a huge subject

Jestah .. did you still like the 'Meet the Parent' idea

Yep, I've already given my interest in this. I am also writing an article. I will send Jestah a copy or snippet of it when I get it worked out. Shall we start on layout suggestions?

Later,
C:\


~Binary is best~

Hmmm...having the World Domination as a login to the admin section is a good idea. It could be hidden by using a key logger to detect if once that page is loaded, if a certain string of letters and numbers (or several different ones so that we can have seperate users) is typed (just not typed into anything). Your average joe wouldn't even know it was there...



I'm in on this idea...if you want me anywhere on 3D, just let me know.

good question ramm, I'm interested in just about every possible course you listed. that simply broadens my ideas

Paper and Pin? That'd make for an interesting game

Look at This thread
What do you think ?

"Freedom of speech is by no means freedom to insult others" from the Razorart goodbye letter.